‘Blood’ in the Streets Over Ferguson

‘Blood’ in the Streets Over Ferguson

(Photojournalist Ken Murray is soaked in red paint aimed for Police Commissioner Bill Bratton--Photo by James Keinom, NY Daily News via Facebook)

Photojournalist Recalls Paint Toss Aimed for Bratton

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 25- An angry crowd estimated between 300 - 500 took to the streets of Times Square to demonstrate the grand jury's decision to not indict police officer Darren Wilson in the August 9 shooting death of Michael Brown, 18, in Ferguson, MO.

Brooklyn-born photojournalist Ken Murray recalled getting the brunt of the red paint tossed at Police Commissioner Bill Bratton on Monday, November 24.

The violence in Ferguson and in Times Square broke out as President Barack Obama was asking the nation for calm and restraint regarding the decision.

Murray recalled, "He (Commissioner Bratton) was being chanted at and told to go home and some other things and then we got down the block a little bit and I got hit with the fake blood behind me, but I got the most of it."

A small army of photographers captured Murray covered in the red paint, mostly missing the intended target Commissioner Bratton.

"I didn't even flinch," Murray added, "I just kept taking my pictures."

Murray then moved with the crowd of police who quickly apprehended the former Occupy Wall Street protester, identified by police as Diego Ibanez, 26.

Ibanez was charged with assault and obstruction of government administration, disorderly conduct, harassment and criminal mischief.

As the crowd broke off into smaller groups, one group estimated at 250 walked and reportedly laid down briefly in the roadbed along the Tri-boro Bridge.

It's not immediately known if any additional arrests had been made.